Novice operating exerience....

[RoyJackson]

I am confused here. Our Kioti is gear driven - high and low range, 4 speed trans. Moving snow requires a lot of changing direction and clutching. If I drive it like a manual trans in a car I will adjust the RPM to match the clutch function. I will be also be turning the bucket as I move forward to scoop it, etc. Can I really just set the hand throttle for this?

Yes you can..did this with my old Deere 670 and 790 (gear transmissions) for years.
To be precise, I set the throttle at about 1500-1800 RPM and used (depending on the conditions) 2nd and reverse High range (those two gears were in line and provided adequate speed for snow removal). The foot throttle was used as needed (if I wanted to move a bit faster for a few seconds). As far as the clutch, I just removed my foot (no extra throttle).

 

[Gittyup]

You don't drive a tractor like a car. On a tractor, you just set the proper gear/range for the conditions and let that clutch all the way out. You don't feather the clutch while applying throttle like you would a car. Just let that clutch go; the tractor will go without stalling or bogging down if you are in the proper gear/range for the situation. Some tractors have synchronized gears where you can shift up/down without stopping, not sure about the 3054.

 

[RidgeHiker]

Some tractors have synchronized gears where you can shift up/down without stopping, not sure about the 3054.

The LK3054 is synchronized.

Thanks folks - the info really has helped?

 

[BeeferMan]

You got a foot throttle and a hand throttle for a reason. With a geared tractor you shouldn't be clutching, either to start or to change gears, with the hand throttle (or the foot throttle!) at anything more than a fast idle. When you're doing, say loader work, with a gear tractor, you do drive it just like you would a truck or car.

If you're doing field work like mowing or raking hay, then set the hand throttle and go...

 

[Andrewnewy]

You don't drive a tractor like a car. On a tractor, you just set the proper gear/range for the conditions and let that clutch all the way out. You don't feather the clutch while applying throttle like you would a car.

Um, hate to mention it but a clutch in a geared tractor is the same as in a car, only difference is the tractor one is bigger! You still need to ease the clutch out, particularly at higher rpm and if you have a heavy load, otherwise you will burn the clutch in no time. That all said it is very important not to ride the clutch, so if the tractor is moving to quickly at a set rpm, you need to change down gears. Ideally you always want to operate at the lowest rpm feasible for the task at hand, high enough so the tractor can cope but low enough so your not wasting energy. The rule of thumb I always work to, figure out what rpm you need to run the implement, whether it be the hydraulic pump, PTO or towing, the figure out what gear you need to be in to get the speed you want.

Forgot to add, doesn't matter whether your box is syncro or not, still need to change up or down depending on conditions, it called double de clutching! Same as you would in any old truck!

My old 6700 would go through clutches at a rate of nots if I always took of in 8th gear with a full load on! Doesn't mean she can't pull in eighth just have to get up to speed first!

 

[retiredmgn]

"As you raise loader you need to lower bucket to keep it level"

My first tractor, used Kubota, had a series of dents on the top of the hood. Didn't give it much consideration.
The day it was delivered I headed out behind the barn to the woodpile to move all those old pesky un-split-able and punky chunks. I loaded up the bucket with all it could hold and headed for the woods to dispose of on an old pile of rotting lumber. As I raised the bucket to dump, several pieces rolled out of the bucket right square on the existing dents.
"Ahhh", sez I. 'That's how those dents got there." I'm quick like that.

"As you raise loader you need to lower bucket to keep it level"
These are wise words.

 

[ustmd]

Some good info on operating the clutch/throttle.

My biggest safety recommendation (aside from some of the previous comments) is only do one thing at a time, if at all possible. In others, do not try to operate the loader and move the tractor at the same time. I know it looks cool and is faster, but it takes a lot of time/experience to be able to do both--I know, I have a dented barn, a lot of scratched paint and several replaced fence posts.

If you do have to do 2 things at once, e.g. move the tractor forward to help scoop with the bucket, only do the absolute minium necessary before you can stop one activity and focus on the other.

 

[BeeferMan]

"As you raise loader you need to lower bucket to keep it level"

Unless you have a fancy loader like the Deere 542... :thumbsup:

 

[retiredmgn]

"As you raise loader you need to lower bucket to keep it level"

My first tractor, used Kubota, had a series of dents on the top of the hood. Didn't give it much consideration.
The day it was delivered I headed out behind the barn to the woodpile to move all those old pesky un-split-able and punky chunks. I loaded up the bucket with all it could hold and headed for the woods to dispose of on an old pile of rotting lumber. As I raised the bucket to dump, several pieces rolled out of the bucket right square on the existing dents.
"Ahhh", sez I. 'That's how those dents got there." I'm quick like that.

"As you raise loader you need to lower bucket to keep it level"
These are wise words.

 

[RidgeHiker]

"As you raise loader you need to lower bucket to keep it level"

My first tractor, used Kubota, had a series of dents on the top of the hood. Didn't give it much consideration.
The day it was delivered I headed out behind the barn to the woodpile to move all those old pesky un-split-able and punky chunks. I loaded up the bucket with all it could hold and headed for the woods to dispose of on an old pile of rotting lumber. As I raised the bucket to dump, several pieces rolled out of the bucket right square on the existing dents.
"Ahhh", sez I. 'That's how those dents got there." I'm quick like that.

"As you raise loader you need to lower bucket to keep it level"
These are wise words.

I guess I lucked out loading soft stuff my first time.